PASSENGERS at Coventry Airport are set to benefit from the relaxation of hand-luggage rules which comes into force next week.

The Department for Transport is relaxing rules on hand luggage which were introduced in August after an alleged terrorism plot to blow up UK planes was thwarted,

But passengers flying from Birmingham International Airport are being advised to continue to pack only essentials in their hand luggage, despite the restriction being relaxed.

A spokeswoman for Coventry Airport said: "Security staff will be informed and ready to implement the new Department of Transport regulations on November 6.

"Coventry Airport staff do not foresee any issues with the new regulations."

As part of new arrangements, passengers will be allowed to carry small quantities of liquids in separate containers.

Each individual item will be restricted to 100ml and containers must be taken to the airport in a single, transparent, resealable bag which will hold no more than a litre of liquid.

The Department for Transport said essential medicines and baby food would be allowed above the 100ml limit and large musical instruments would be allowed in addition to one item of hand luggage.

John Morris, head of corporate affairs at Birmingham Airport, said: "The best thing that all passengers can do to assist in speeding up the security process is to continue to pack everything in their hold luggage for check-in and take only the items essential for the flight - ticket, passport and money - in their hand luggage."